5 Ways to Hike the Abel Tasman Coast Track Without Staying Overnight

Going for a thrilling Abel Tasman hike and witnessing the magnificent coastal track brings true- blue adventure lovers a new sense of excitement and anticipation.

If you wish to make the most of the Abel Tasman one-day track, we created a guide to help you enjoy the wonders of the trail without spending the night.

The Abel Tasman Track

Famous for being the smallest national park and one of New Zealand’s Great Walks, the Abel Tasman Track is a coastal trail with golden sandy beaches, incredible viewpoints, a deep azure sea, and lush native forest.

The entire length of the track is 60 kilometres, starting from Marahau in the south and ending at Wainui in the north. If you want to experience the Abel Tasman hike, there are various starting points, hike distance options, and cosy accommodations.

5 Best Ways to Enjoy the Abel Tasman Coast Track for a Day

There are multiple ways to enjoy the Abel Tasman Coast Track. You can opt for a multi-day hike and exploration. However, if you prefer an exciting one-day hiking experience on the spectacular coastal trail, here are the top 5 activities you can do without staying overnight.

Riding Water Taxis

Abel Tasman prides itself on its wonderful beaches and beautiful hiking tracks. Water taxis are available for transport to access these wonders, give hikers and tourists the best possible experience, and allow them to connect with nature highly.

Water taxis follow a fixed schedule and have multiple stops, which are often at the main beaches of the Abel Tasman track until Totara Nui.

You can ride this unique mode of transportation by booking online or getting a schedule in their main store in Marahau before starting the hike.

Hiking Along the Abel Tasman Track

Abel Tasman Coast Track is among the Great Walks of New Zealand, and the most anticipated activity on the track is guided hiking.

You can book a hiking package for a one-day walk. This package entails trekking parts of the 60- kilometre trail with an expert private guide. Depending on your chosen starting point, you should organise a form of transportation for convenient access, from water taxis to shuttles, because it is not a circuit track.

The best part of the hike is passing through the areas of the track that can only be accessed when the tide is low, such as walking along the golden sand of Totara Nui Beach or crossing the low ridge into Torrent Bay Estuary.

Experience the fun and fulfil your sense of adventure during your exciting walk on the coastal track at Abel Tasman National Park.

Touring the Beaches

This track is different from your conventional hiking trails, often in the middle of mountains where tall trees and wild bushes are in every corner.

Abel Tasman Track is surrounded by amazing bodies of water, where you can pass by beautiful beaches in most parts of the trail.

Among the excellent ways of experiencing a memorable hike on the track is to explore and enjoy its spectacular sandy beaches that stretch miles, including Onehauiti Beach.

You can also maximise your hiking trip to the coastal national park by going on boat tours, watching granite formations — such as the Split Apple Rock, and watching the popular New Zealand fur seals.

Encountering the Native Wildlife

Meet and appreciate the vibrant marine life of Abel Tasman National Park during your one-day trip. Discover the wonders of the sea, explore the bodies of water and witness a colony of New Zealand fur seals and dolphins.

The track is also home to a variety of native animals, such as the weka, kereru, weta, giant land snails, piwakawaka, and more.

Bringing your gear can make your hiking trip more memorable. If you fancy birdwatching, the track also has a wide array of native birds you can watch and observe.

Kayaking on Majestic Beaches

Kayaking is one of the thrilling water activities today, especially crystal-clear kayaks that tourists love to ride and take pictures on.

Taking a kayak tour allows you to get a closer look and experience the Abel Tasman marine life, such as dolphins and seals.

The best thing is that the kayaking route follows the hiking trail, so you can still go in the same direction with your fellow hikers; the only difference is that you are in water while they are on land.

Things to Consider Before Hiking in Abel Tasman Coast Track

Before taking the Abel Tasman one-day track, there are some things that you should consider so you can make the best out of your new hiking trip, such as:

Low and High Tide Schedules

It is essential to check the tide schedules because parts of the national park aren’t accessible when the tide is high, and there are also water activities that can be interrupted when it is low tide. Make sure to research the tide schedule before booking any activities.

Wind Forecast

Strong winds can disturb your exciting guided or freedom walk and other activities planned on your day trip. Before your trip, research the projected wind speed to wear the right clothes and guarantee a fun-filled experience.

Accommodation

There are cosy Abel Tasman accommodations with excellent amenities and features. You should book ahead of schedule, especially if your trip is in summer when many tourists flock to the area, to get your preferred rooms and maximise your stay.

Discover the Abel Tasman Track with New Zealand Walks

There are many activities you can do and places to explore during your one-day Abel Tasman hike. If you want to experience the small but spectacular national park and coastal trail, you can turn to New Zealand Walks.

We offer exclusive Abel Tasman packages and other hiking options on New Zealand’s other Great Walks. Get in touch with us by calling +64 3 5736655 today.

Posted by New Zealand Walks on September 12, 2023